Striking another blow to the oil and gas industries, an American solar company has developed technology that can produce super-efficient solar power that’s cheaper than fossil fuels. Rayton Solar’s new solar panel manufacturing technology uses 50 to 100 times less silicon than other technologies, cutting out large amounts of the most costly component of solar panels. The company says its patent-pending process uses just four microns worth of silicon, leaving no waste – while boosting the efficiency of their panels to 24 percent. According to the company that’s 25 percent greater than the industry standard efficiency, which currently tops out at about 15 percent.

Rayton claims their patent-pending solar PV modules can be manufactured in the United States at a cost of 60 percent less than the industry average, which is based on prices from places like China where the majority of solar panels are made.

The Los Angeles-based company currently has an Indiegogo campaign underway that’s seeking funding to help put the final touches on the technology so it can get UL certification and then be launched for sale to the general public. Launched on Dec. 16, the campaign has raised just over $1,000 of its $250,000 goal.

The development of solar PV technologies like this is one of the main factors behind an marked increase in global renewable energy production, which went up by 8.5 percent in 2013.

This article lies, "which currently tops out at about 15 percent.". There are many companies able to produce over 20% efficiency. You\\\'re most likely talking about the average, which includes all solar panels on the market, even ones made over 20 years ago.

Its a step in the direction of a world without pollution, I dont understand why people would hate on that. "it would be an open invitation to burglars and people want a warm home in winter" I mean what is ur problem bro? Don't be so afraid

I am wondering, if your home has an array of solar panels and there is a serious electric grid problem, the visibility of these panels might subject you to being a victim of home invasion, by those wanting to get what you have, as in: a safe food supply, or a warm home in winter. seems like an open invitation.

I'm not sure that people are getting the point here. That being that these are (apparently) flexible modules, which have a wide range of applications in non-large array installations. That means a sort of revolution for off-grid applications, such as military and recreational use. This is the first time in the 35 years I've been in the solar business that a truly ground breaking step in this niche has been made since Unisolar's PVL line of modules. The 40% eff. mod's mentioned in the Australian story are great, but have a completely different application. The comment about "hippies" is pretty funny, considering that today's PV, wind, and similar technologies spring from the mindset of non-mainstream thinking, not that of the lock-step right wing dittoheads.

24%?? Nice that they can use less material, but they need to focus on converting infra-red like the Australians have already done - resulting in 40% efficiency! www.renewablesinternational.net/australians-break-through-the-40-efficiency-mark/150/452/84150/